Women’s Semis Set in Sydney as Errani is Upset by Qualifier Pironkova
Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova scored a big upset Wednesday at the 2014 Apia International Sydney to advance to the semifinals with a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over the number three seed, Italy's Sara Errani in the quarterfinals. Pironkova is now into her second-biggest WTA semifinal, her biggest being Wimbledon in 2010.
"This off-season I decided to change things a little, taking it easier and working more on my fitness," said Pironkova. "Also my tennis, but not as much as I used to. I also did work on my mentality. I think I'm just taking things easier now. I feel more relaxed and I enjoy playing. I guess that's what makes the results come."
Awaiting Pironkova is Petra Kvitova who notched her 300th career win with a 7-6(4), 6-2 victory over friend and Czech Fed Cup teammate Lucie Safarova.
"Lucie's a good friend of mine—we know each other very well on and off of the court because we practiced a lot together in Prostejov and on the Fed Cup team," Kvitova said. "So I know exactly how she can play, and I knew what she would try, and I just tried to do my best out there. My serve was great today. It helped me a lot. The first set was really good tennis from both of us, and then when I broke her in the second set I felt more up, so I just tried to keep my serve from there."
Angelique Kerber defeated Carla Suárez Navarro 6-2, 6-4 to also advance to the semifinals in Sydney.
"It was not easy and she's a great player and I tried to be focused from the first point and also after the rain, but I think I was playing very well tonight and I'm looking forward to tomorrow," Kerber said.
Kerber will next face Madison Keys, who was a winner over Bethanie Mattek-Sands who was forced to retire with a lower back injury trailing 3-2 in the first set of their quarterfinal match. Keys' only previous WTA semifinal came at the end of last season in Osaka where she lost to Samantha Stosur.
